交渉をする

You use this phrase just like a regular verb. You can attach it to the thing you are negotiating using the particle の. For example, 給料の交渉をする means "to negotiate salary." You can also use it with について to say "negotiate about" something. It fits perfectly in business emails or serious life discussions. Just remember that it sounds a bit formal for tiny favors.

Use this when the stakes are real. It’s perfect for business deals or buying a house. It also works at a flea market when you want a lower price. You might use it when discussing chores with a roommate. If you are trying to convince your boss for a day off, this is the phrase. It signals that a serious exchange of terms is happening.

Avoid using this for very light, casual requests. If you're just asking a friend to borrow a pen, don't say 交渉をする. That would sound like you're trying to sign a legal contract for a ballpoint! Also, if you're just having a heart-to-heart talk, use 話し合う instead. 交渉をする implies a bit of a "transactional" vibe. Don't use it if there's nothing to trade or settle.

In Japan, negotiation is often about maintaining harmony or 和 (wa). It’s rarely a loud, aggressive confrontation like you see in movies. Often, the real 交渉 happens before the official meeting. This is called 根回し (nemawashi), or preparing the soil. By the time people actually 交渉をする, they usually already know the outcome. It’s a dance of mutual respect and subtle hints.

You will often see 交渉中 which means "under negotiation." Another common one is 条件交渉, which specifically means "negotiating terms." If you want to sound more professional, you might use 交渉を行う. If the negotiation fails, you say 交渉が決裂する. If you succeed, you might say 交渉がまとまる. These variations help you describe exactly how the deal is going.